Kot-to-trot

ABSTRACT

Collapsible lightweight, and portable cot type bed for pets and children. A spring biased horizontal connector pin can slidably attach bottom edges of vertical support legs to horizontal cross braces to maintain the cot in an assembled position that can support extreme amounts of weight. The horizontal pin can be connected to a bottom portion of a metal strip having an upper edge attached by rivets, soldering or welding to the vertical support legs. Sidewall panels along the planar support surface of the cot allow for keeping objects from sliding off the cot. A removable canopy or a removable hutch-like compartment for deflecting sun and providing shade when the cot is used outdoors can be mounted to the vertical legs above the planar support surface. The hutch-like compartment is made of flexible, lightweight materials and can be closed on all sides, using see-through or open weave materials for ventilation while securely containing a child or pet inside. The cot can be easily folded like an accordion and placed in a carrying bag and have a weight of less than approximately 15 pounds.

This invention is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Pending applicationSer. No. 10/677,828 filed Oct. 2, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,664,which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/415,885filed Oct. 3, 2002.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to beds and cots, and in particular to portable,collapsible, lightweight cots and beds, with or without a canopy, withor without a hutch-like enclosure, and portable, collapsible andlightweight steps that can be used for pets, and children.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Pets and small animals usually sleep directly on the floor. Often apiece of carpet, blanket, or pad has been used. However, the pets andanimals are still lying on the floor, and are subject to undesirableeffects such as bugs and insects, and lying on a hard uncomfortablesurface.

Various types of beds and cots, and the like, have been proposed overthe years that are primarily used for people. See for example, U.S. Pat.No. 829,589 to Leavitt; U.S. Pat. No. 1,366,482 to Osterud; U.S. Pat.No. 1,858,254 to Uline; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,204 to Sok KyuRecently,an international patent application, PCT/AU03/00353 to Bedingtondiscloses a bed for pets and a website, www.globalsources.com/gsol/General Manager/& design, shows a “Lightweight CampingBed Suitable for Outdoor Use,” item no. GH2047, manufactured by ZhejiangGanghai Industrial Co. Ltd., China, copyright 2003.

However, none of the prior art devices have a locking mechanism to keepthe legs in place when fully assembled, nor do they have sidewall panelsfor keeping animated objects confined on the surface. Furthermore, noneof these devices combine sidewalls with any type of shade and protectivecovers such as canopies or hutch-like compartments for covering theoccupants. None of these devices appear to be easily collapsible andportable, yet stable and strong enough to be used as a step to assistclimbing to higher elevations. Finally, none of these devices appear tobe easily collapsible and portable so as to be carried by a singleperson. The prior art devices would have problems supporting largeweights that can come with large pets since these beds/cots would tendto collapse under large weights of up to 150 pounds or more.

Several patented devices have been proposed as beds/cots for pets. Seefor example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,820,284 to Mills; Des. 127,808 toMcGillicuddy; Des. 294,752 to Palier; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,694 toHaynes et al. However, these patents again do not solve all the problemswith the other devices described above. For example, these pet devicesdo not have locking mechanisms to keep the legs in place when fullyassembled, and are also not easily collapsible and portable.Furthermore, these pet devices would not be able to support largeanimals of up to approximately 150 pounds or more.

Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the priorart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed for pets.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide acollapsible and portable cot that can be used for children.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed that can be used indoors and outdoors.

A fourth objective of this invention is to provide a collapsible andportable cot and bed having connectors for locking legs to side supportstruts that can handle weights of up to approximately 150 pounds or morewhile remaining sturdy and stable.

A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed having sidewalls along up to three sides of thecot surface for keeping occupants from easily falling off the cot.

A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed having a removable canopy for providing shadeand a protective cover.

A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed having a combination of a sidewall along with acanopy cover.

An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable lightweight platform that can be used as a step or a seriesof steps, in a modular configuration, to enable a pet or child to reachhigher elevations.

A ninth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed having a secure hutch-like compartment forenclosing an object.

A tenth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsibleand portable cot and bed that can be closed securely and is wellventilated.

A preferred embodiment of the portable and collapsible cot includes aflexible planar surface layer and leg members for both cross-bracing andsupporting the planar surface layer over a ground surface, the legmembers being moveable between an assembled position and a foldedposition, where the assembled position fully supports weighted objectsbeing placed on the planar surface layer, and the folded position hasthe cot in a collapsed position allowing the cot to become portable andeasy to carry.

The leg members can include a first set of rods pivotably attached toone another for supporting a left side end of the cot that are moveablebetween a substantially crossed position while the cot is in theassembled position to a substantially parallel position while the cot isin a folded position, and a second set of rods pivotably attached to oneanother for supporting a right side end of the cot opposite the leftside end, that are moveable between a substantially crossed positionwhile the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallelposition while the cot is in the folded position. Additionally, a middleset of rods can be used for supporting a mid-portion of the cot locatedsubstantially midway between the left side end and the right side end,that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cotis in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position whilethe cot is in a folded position.

The leg members can further include vertical leg portions extendingdownward from each of the corners of the planar surface layer having anupper end that remains attached to each of the corners of the planarsurface layer, and a bottom end which engages a corner footer when thecot is in the assembled position, and the bottom end disengages thecorner footer when the cot is in the folded position.

Bendable-snapable members can be used for connecting the bottom ends ofthe vertical leg portions to the corner footers. The bendable-snapablemembers can be longitudinal clips having one end fixably attached to aportion of each of the vertical leg portions above the bottom end of thevertical leg portions, the clip having an opposite end with a protrudingpin for mateably engaging an opening in the corner footer for lockingthe cot in the assembled position, the pin end of the clip beingbendable away from the corner footer for allowing the cot to be folded.

The cot can further include a front pair of rods pivotably attached toone another for supporting a front side of the cot that are moveablebetween a substantially crossed position while the cot is in theassembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot isin a folded position, and a rear pair of rods pivotably attached to oneanother for supporting a rear side of the cot opposite the front side,that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cotis in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position whenthe cot is in the folded position. Each of the front and rear rods caninclude two sets of pairs of the pivotable rods adjacent to one anotherthat are moveable between substantially crossed positions while the cotis in the assembled position to the substantially parallel positionswhen the cot is in the folded position.

The flexible platform on the cot can include first straps alongperimeter edges attached underneath the surface layer for enhancingstrength of the surface layer to support the weighted object thereon,and second straps in a crossed pattern attached underneath the surfacelayer between the first straps attached to the perimeter edges.

A first embodiment of the cot has a removable canopy having ends thatcan be attached to the corner edges of the cot. The canopy can beattached by a first upside down U-shaped support attached to andextending upward from one side of the cot, and a second upside downU-shaped support attached to and extending upward from another side ofthe cot opposite the one side, wherein the first U-shaped support andthe second U-shaped support hold the canopy in a fixed position abovethe cot. Approximately two hook and loop fastener straps (such asVelcro®) for each U-shaped support is used to stabilize the supports,and approximately four hook and loop fastener straps (such as Velcro@)can be used for attaching the back and/or sides of the canopy to thecot.

A second embodiment of the cot has a removable, hutch-like enclosurehaving ends that can be attached to the corner edges of the cot. Thehutch-like enclosure can be attached by a first upside down U-shapedsupport attached to and extending upward from one side of the cot, and asecond upside down U-shaped support attached to and extending upwardfrom another side of the cot opposite the one side, wherein the firstU-shaped support and the second U-shaped support are connected by astrap extending from one side of the cot to the opposite side at a pointapproximately midway of the top of each upside down U-shaped support.The upside down U-shaped supports and strap hold the hutch-likeenclosure in a fixed position above the cot. Hook and loop fastenerstrips (such as Velcro@) are sewn along the edges of the sidewalls ofthe cot and matching hook and loop fastener strips (such as Velcro@) aresewn along the back and side bottom edges of the hutch-like enclosure sothat when the hutch-like enclosure is in place above the cot, thematching strips can be used for attaching the back and/or sides of thehutch-like enclosure to the cot.

A third embodiment of the cot has flexible side walls attached to andextending upward from at least one perimeter edge from the surfacelayer, and can be used to keep objects on the surface layer from fallingoff the left, the right and rear side perimeter edges of the cot.

A fourth embodiment is a rectangular-shaped, lightweight and collapsibleplatform for use as a stair-step.

The length of the assembled cot can be up to approximately 46 incheslong and a width of the assembled cot being approximately 24 incheswide, and have an overall weight of up to approximately 15 pounds.

A carrying bag having dimensions of up to approximately 30 inches byapproximately 8 inches by approximately 8 inches for carrying a foldedup version of the cot inside the bag so that a child can carry the cotfrom place to place.

The novel cot, bed or platform step can be used for pets and smallchildren up to approximately 150 pounds in size, and can be used indoorsand outdoors as needed.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the presently preferredembodiments, which are illustrated schematically in the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the novel portablecollapsible cot fully assembled with canopy cover.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cot of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cot of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the cot of FIG. 1 along arrow 4X.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the cot of FIG. 1 along arrow 5X.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the flexible platform of FIG. 2 along arrow6AY.

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the flexible platform of FIG. 2 along arrow6BY.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the assembled cot of FIG. 2 along arrow 7Y.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the left front vertical corner leg ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 8B is a front view of the left front corner leg of FIG. 8A alongarrow 8BX.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged top view of one of an outer corner fitting footerused with the vertical corner legs of the cot.

FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the corner fitting footer of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a side view of the corner fitting footer of FIG. 9A alongarrow 9CX.

FIG. 9D is a side view of the corner fitting footer of FIG. 9A alongarrow 9DX.

FIG. 9E is a side view of the corner fitting footer of FIG. 9A alongarrow 9EX.

FIG. 9F is a side view of the corner fitting footer of FIG. 9A alongarrow 9FX.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged top view of one of the mid-point fittings usedwith the mid-vertical legs of the cot.

FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the fitting of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a side view of the fitting of FIG. 10A along arrow 10CX.

FIG. 10D is a side view of the fitting of FIG. 10A along arrow 10DX.

FIG. 10E is a side view of the fitting of FIG. 10A along arrow 10EX.

FIG. 10F is a side view of the fitting of FIG. 10A along arrow 10FX.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembled cot of FIG. 1 with thecanopy removed.

FIG. 12 is another view of the cot of FIG. 11 with the canopy supportrods removed, the third embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the cot of FIG. 12 in the process ofbeing folded.

FIG. 13B is another view of FIG. 13A showing the cot being furtherfolded together.

FIG. 13C is a left side view of FIG. 13B along arrow 13CX.

FIG. 14 shows a bag holder that contains the folded cot of the precedingfigures.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a child user carrying the filled bagholder of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the novelportable, collapsible cot fully assembled with hutch-like mesh enclosuresecured with straps.

FIG. 17 is a right front view of the cot in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a left rear view of the cot in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a left front view of the cot in FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the cot in FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the cot in FIG. 16.

FIG. 22 is a right rear view of the cot in FIG. 16.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cot in FIG. 16 with the frontcovering mesh rolled up and strapped in an open position.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the straps and zipper for closing themesh corners of the hutch-like enclosure.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the right front straps and zipper forclosing the hutch-like enclosure.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the left front straps and zipper forclosing the hutch-like enclosure.

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the first and second upside down U-shapedrods attached by a strap extending from opposite sides of the cot tosupport the hutch-like enclosure of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 28 is a left front view of the cot of FIG. 16 with a strapextending from one side of the cot to the opposite side and connectingthe upside down U-shaped support rods attached to the cot.

FIG. 29 is a left front view of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a right front view of FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is a left rear view of FIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is a rear view of FIG. 28.

FIG. 33 is a right rear view of FIG. 28. FIG. 34 is the left front viewof the third embodiment of the present invention, the assembled cot ofFIG. 16 with the hutch-like enclosure and upper support frame removed.

FIG. 35 is a left front view of the cot in FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a right front view of the cot in FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a left rear view of the cot in FIG. 34.

FIG. 38 is a rear view of the cot in FIG. 34.

FIG. 39 is a right rear view of the cot in FIG. 34.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the novelportable, collapsible, lightweight cot/platform used as a stair step.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention indetail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangements shown sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

With regard to the terminology related to fasteners used in the presentinvention, it is to be understood that any conventional fasteners can beused, such as zippers, hooks, snaps, ties, adhesive strips and the like.One type of fastener referred to frequently herein is the hook and loopfastener marketed commercially as Velcro®, a nylon fabric that can befastened to itself. It is readily available and convenient to use;however, it is not to be considered a limitation of the presentinvention.

Four distinct embodiments of the novel portable, collapsible cot or bedof the present invention are discussed in detail below. The firstembodiment of the present invention has a removable canopy attached tothe corner edges of the cot. The second embodiment of the presentinvention has a removable hutch-like enclosure and can be used as awell-ventilated compartment, pen or coop. The third embodiment hasflexible sidewalls attached to and extending upward from at least oneperimeter edge of the surface layer. The fourth embodiment of thepresent invention has a platform surface that is used as a stair step.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the novel portablecollapsible cot 1 fully assembled with canopy cover 10. FIG. 2 is afront view of the cot 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cot 1 ofFIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a left side view of the cot 1 of FIG. 1 along arrow4X. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the cot 1 of FIG. 1 along arrow 5X.

Referring to FIGS. 1–5, cot 1 can include a canopy cover 10 formed frommaterial such as but not limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, combinationsthereof, and the like, having front upper hanging lip portion 12, upperroof portion 14, left side 17 and right side 19, and rear wall portion16 that can be attached by upside down U-shaped rods 22, 23, 24, 26, 27,28 that slide into the upper ends of vertical leg portions 110, 120,130, 140 of the leg member section 100 (the latter of which is shown inFIGS. 11–12. Canopy 10 can be waterproof for protecting against weatherelements such as rain, and the like, so that the cot can be placedoutdoors. Canopy 10 can further function as a shade against the effectsof the sun, and the like.

Cot 1 has a flexible planar surface 30 that can be formed from similarmaterials such as but not limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, combinationsthereof, shown and described in more detail in reference to FIGS. 8A–8B.

Cot 1 can further include sidewalls 60, also used as a third embodimentof the invention, that can be formed from similar materials such as butnot limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, combinations thereof. Thepreferred embodiment can include a right side wall 62, a rear side wall64 and a left side wall 66, each having end edges that define channelopenings for sliding over upper ends of the vertical leg portions 110,120, 130, and 140. The side walls 60 can be formed by sewing doublelayers of material together and allowing an opening along the end edgesto form the channel openings for attaching to the vertical leg portions110, 120, 130, and 140. The left side wall 66, the right side wall 62,and the rear side wall 64 can keep objects such as but not limited topets and small children that are on the surface layer 30 from fallingoff the left, the right and rear side perimeter edges of the cot 1.

The bottom of the cot 1 is supported by leg members 100 that includepivotably connected rods and vertical leg portions 110, 120, 130, 140with corner and mid-section fittings and footers that can fold up likean accordion when not being used and extend outward to providesubstantial support for objects placed on the cot 1.

In a fully assembled state as shown by FIGS. 1–5, the cot 1 has beentested to be able to support up to approximately 150 pounds with ease.The fully assembled cot 1 has dimensions of the planar support surface30 being approximately 24 inches wide by approximately 46 inches longand can be supported approximately 10 inches above a ground surface,with the canopy cover being approximately 36 inches high above a groundsurface. The total weight of the cot 1 with canopy 10 is approximately15 pounds.

Additionally, approximately two hook and loop fastener straps (such asVelcro®) S1 and S2 can be used for each U-shaped support 22–24, 26–28 inorder to stabilize the supports, and approximately four hook and loopfastener straps (such as Velcro®) S3, S4, S5, and S6 can be used forattaching the back and/or sides of the canopy 10 to the cot 1 can beused.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the flexible platform 30 of FIG. 2 along arrow6AY. FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the flexible platform 30 of FIG. 2along arrow 6BY. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6A and 6B, flexible platformcan be formed from similar materials as the canopy 10, such as but notlimited to canvas, nylon, fabric, or combinations thereof. Upper surfaceof platform layer 30 can include extra materials 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36of square shaped materials such as canvas, nylon, fabric, plastic,combinations thereof, that can be sewn to outer corners and mid-portionperimeter edges with metal eyelets for allowing the platform layer 30 tobe supported by vertical legs 110, 120, 130, 140, and snapablemid-portion fastener buttons 52, 54. Underneath the flexible platform 30can be a first group of straps 41, 42, 43, and 44 sewn along perimeteredges and across a mid-region 47 attached underneath the surface layer30. A second group of straps 45, 46, 48, 49 can be sewn in a crossedpattern underneath the surface layer 30 between the first group ofperimeter straps 41–44, 47. The straps 41–49 can be formed from canvas,nylon, fabric, plastic, combinations thereof, and be used for enhancingstrength of the surface layer 30 in order to support weighted objectsthereon.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the assembled cot of FIG. 2 along arrow 7Y.

Referring to FIGS. 2–5 and 7, the cot 1 can include various leg membersthat can each be formed from approximately ⅝ inch tubular steel. Cot 1can include a pair of left side crossed legs 150, 160 that can bepivotably connected together at a mid-portion by a rivet R, and a pairof right side crossed legs 170, 180 that can be pivotably connectedtogether at a mid-portion by a rivet R. Each of the pairs 150, 160 and170, 180 are moveable between a substantially crossed position while thecot 1 is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel positionwhen the cot 1 is in a folded position.

The cot 1 can include a front left pair of rods 210, 220 pivotablyattached to one another by a rivet R, adjacent to a front right pair ofrods 230, 240 pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R forsupporting a front side of the cot 1. The two pairs of front pivotablerods 210, 220 and 230, 240 can be moveable between a substantiallycrossed position while the cot 1 is in the assembled position to asubstantially parallel position when the cot 1 is in a folded position.

The cot 1 can include a rear left pair of rods 250, 260 pivotablyattached to one another by a rivet R, adjacent to a rear right pair ofrods 270, 280 pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R. The twopairs of rear pivotable rods 250, 260 and 270, 280 can be moveablebetween a substantially crossed position while the cot 1 is in theassembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot 1is in a folded position.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the left front vertical corner leg 120 ofFIG. 4. FIG. 8B is a front view of the left front corner leg 120 of FIG.8A along arrow 8BX.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged top view of one of an outer corner fitting footer300 used as a footer with the vertical corner legs 110, 120, 130, 140 ofthe cot 1. The footer 300 can be formed from injection molded plasticand the like. FIG. 9B is a bottom view 360 of the corner fitting footer300 of FIG. 9A with throughhole 365. FIG. 9C is a side view 310 of thecorner fitting footer 300 of FIG. 9A along arrow 9CX with a mateableopening 325 for receiving the pin 84 of bendable-snapable clip 80 (shownin FIGS. 8A–8B and 13C). FIG. 9D is a side view of the corner fittingfooter 300 of FIG. 9A along arrow 9DX. FIG. 9E is a side view of thecorner fitting footer 300 of FIG. 9A along arrow 9EX. FIG. 9F is a sideview of the corner fitting footer 300 of FIG. 9A along arrow 9FX.

Referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A–9F and 13C, fittings 300 can be used asfooters along all four corner perimeters for the cot 1. The fittings canalso be used upside down and used as upper fittings 300′ fixablyattached to upper portions of the vertical leg portions 110, 120, 130,140, respectively.

As shown by FIGS. 4, 8A–8B, 9A–9F and 13C, a footer 300 can be pivotablyattached to a rod 150 by a rivet R, while another footer 300 ispivotably attached to another rod 160 by a rivet R. At the same time,the rods 150, 160 are pivotably attached to one another at a midportionby a rivet R. Upper ends of rods 150, 160 are also pivotably attached byrivets R to upper fittings 300′ that are attached to vertical legportions 140 and 120, respectively. Each of the vertical leg portions110, 120, 130, 140 can have an elongated clip, such as a metal plate 80having one end attached to the respective leg portion by a fixed rivet82, and have a lower end which extends below the bottom end of eachrespective vertical leg portion (see 80, 84 and 120 of FIG. 13C). Theclip 80 is made to be biased so as to tend to lay against the verticalleg portion in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 13C).

To lock the vertical leg portions in place, a user can bend the bottomof clip 80 back and lower the vertical leg portion in the direction ofarrow A to pass into opening 315 of the footer 300 and then allow thepin 84 of the clip to pass into opening 325 of footer 300, locking thevertical leg portion in place. To fold the cot 1, the user just bendsback the bottom of each of the clips 80 allowing the vertical legportions 110, 120, 130, 140 to separate while allowing the crossed rods(see 150, 160 FIG. 13C) to fold against one another in the direction ofarrow F.

In an assembled position, the lower ends of vertical leg portions 110,120, 130, 140 fit into top opening 315 in the top 310 of footer 300, andcan be locked in place by the pin 84 of bendable-snapable clip 80, whichmateably fits into opening 325 in side 320 of footer 300.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged top view 310 of one of the mid-point fittings400 which can be formed from injection molded plastic and can be usedwith the mid-vertical legs 210, 220, 230, 240, 190, 290 and 250, 260,270, 280, 290, 190 of the cot 1. FIG. 10B is a bottom view 360 of thefitting 400 of FIG. 10A with an optional through-hole 315 (also shown inFIG. 10A) which can be used for supporting an optional extra verticalleg portion. FIG. 10C is a side view 320 of the fitting 400 of FIG. 10Aalong arrow 10CX. FIG. 10D is a side view 330 of the fitting 400 of FIG.10A along arrow 10DX. FIG. 10E is a side view 340 of the fitting 400 ofFIG. 10A along arrow 10EX. FIG. 10F is a side view 350 of the fitting400 of FIG. 10A along arrow 10FX.

The fitting 400 will now be described referencing the front lower middlefitting 400FM shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. As previously described, thecot 1 can have a centrally located cross-brace of rods 190, 290pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R. Front ends of middlecross-brace rods 190, 290 can each be pivotably attached to fitting 400by rivets R (see for example 290, R FIGS. 10C, 10E). A bottom end offront left cross-brace rod 260 can be pivotably attached to fitting 400by a rivet R (see FIGS. 10D, 10F), and a front right cross-brace rod 270can be pivotably attached to fitting 400 by a rivet R (see FIGS. 10D,10F). The fitting 400 can be used upside down for connecting to snapablemid-portion fastener buttons 52, 54 which together sandwich and fixablyhold the platform 30 in place.

In a fully assembled state as shown by the preceding figures, the cot 1has been tested to be able to support up to approximately 150 poundswith ease. The fully assembled cot 1 has dimensions of the planarsupport surface 30 being approximately 24 inches wide by approximately46 inches long and can be supported approximately 10 inches above aground surface, with the canopy cover being approximately 36 inches highabove a ground surface. The total weight of the cot 1 with canopy 10 isapproximately 15 pounds.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the assembled cot 1 of FIG. 1 with thecanopy 10 shown in FIG. 1 removed FIG. 12 is another view of the cot 1of FIG. 11 with the canopy support rods 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28removed. FIG. 12 is also a view of the third and fourth embodiment ofthe present invention, a cot with sidewalls on the left, right and rearsides. The support rods can be sections of ⅝-inch pipe that can beassembled to resemble upside down U-shapes having ends that can betelescopingly received within the upper ends of the vertical legportions 110, 120, 130, 140, respectively. The vertical leg portion 130is not shown in FIG. 12, however, it is identified in FIGS. 3 and 5 asthe right rear vertical leg. For disassembly, the canopy support rodscan be removed.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view 1′ of the front of the cot 1 of FIG. 12in the process of being folded in the direction of arrow CF. FIG. 13B isanother front view of FIG. 13A showing the cot 1″ being further foldedtogether. FIG. 13C is a left side view of FIG. 13B along arrow 13CX. Ascan be seen from FIGS. 13A–13C, the left and right sides, and the frontand backsides can fold up in an accordion type position very easily.

FIG. 14 shows a bag holder 450 that can be formed from canvas, nylon,and the like, with shoulder strap/handle 460 that contains the foldedcot 1″ of the preceding figures with or without the canopy 10 anddisassembled canopy support rods 20 (shown in FIG. 11). The bag allowsthe folded cot 1′ to be in held within a bag having dimensions ofapproximately 8 inches wide by approximately 8 inches high byapproximately 30 inches long. The bag 450 and the folded cot 1 has aweight of still approximately 15 pounds. FIG. 15 is a perspective viewof a child user 495 carrying the filled bag holder 450 of FIG. 14.

All embodiments of the invention can be included in a carrying bag thatcan be easily carried by small children. A nine year old can assemblethe invention in approximately two minutes, and many four year olds caneasily carry the invention. The collapsed version of the novel bed/cotand stair step can be placed in a bag with dimensions of approximately30 inches by approximately 8 inches by approximately 8 inches and canweigh approximately 15 pounds.

While the first embodiment of the invention with canopy has been shown,the invention can use other types and shapes and features that caninclude but are not limited to closing the fronts and all the sides withsee-through or screened material to contain a child or pet inside, asdescribed in the second embodiment below.

FIG. 16 shows a novel portable, collapsible, lightweight cot fullyassembled with a hutch-like enclosure 500 constructed of flexible,lightweight materials, such as, but not limited to canvas, nylon,natural and synthetic fabric with a close weave to form one or moresides of the enclosure. The closely woven fabric is of a lighter weightor finer denier than the rayon or nylon fabric used for the cot andsidewalls. A material with an open weave, such as, nylon mesh, fish netand the like may be used to form the sides of the enclosure not made ofa closely woven material. The open weave material can be used to provideventilation for the occupant of the hutch-like compartment. Although thesecond embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16–26 shows the use of meshmaterial on three sides: left side 520, front side 530, and right side540, it is not a limitation of the present invention, but a matter ofindividual preference as to how many sides are made of the meshmaterial.

The hutch-like enclosure 500 is formed by sewing four pieces offlexible, lightweight material to form an upside down U-shaped hollowcompartment having a total of five sides, that fits over the flexibleplatform 30 being approximately 24 inches wide by approximately 46inches long and can be supported approximately 10 inches above a groundsurface, with the hutch-like compartment 500 being approximately 36inches high above a ground surface. The flexible, lightweight materialforming the hutch-like compartment is supported by a frame, which isshown in greater detail in FIGS. 27–33. The overall dimensions of thehutch-like compartment are approximately 45 inches long, byapproximately 27 inches high and approximately twenty-four inches wide.The total weight of the cot 1 with hutch-like compartment 500 isapproximately 15 pounds.

Hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® strips (not shown) are sewnalong the edges of the sidewalls 60 and matching hook and loopfasteners, such as, Velcro® strips (not shown) are sewn along the backand/or side bottom edges of the hutch-like enclosure so that when thehutch-like enclosure is in place, the hutch-like compartment 500 alignssmoothly and securely to the sidewalls 60 when the fastener strips onthe sidewalls 60 are mated with the fastener strips on the hutch-likecompartment 500.

To facilitate access to the interior of the hutch-like compartment, aseries of three hook and loop fastener straps, such as Velcro®, 503 aresewn into the seam between the closely woven fabric 510 and the openweave mesh 530 and can be used to hold the front mesh 530 in an openposition, as desired and shown in FIG. 23.

The leg member section 100, flexible platform 30 and sidewalls 60 areconstructed in a manner similar to that described in the firstembodiment with canopy.

Referring now to FIG. 17, two hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®,s7 s8 can be attached to the front right end section of the mesh 530 toclose the front right edge of the mesh to the sidewall 62. Similarly, inFIG. 18, two hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® s9 s10 can be sewnto the left front edge of the mesh 530 and used to close the left frontedge of mesh 530 to the sidewall 66.

FIGS. 17 and 18 also show the four pieces of material used to form thehutch-like enclosure. One piece 510 forms the back and top sections ofthe enclosure, and three pieces of mesh, include one piece of mesh 520to cover the right side, another piece of mesh 530 to cover the frontand a third piece of mesh 540 to cover the left side. The one piece 510that forms the back and top sections is preferably a closely wovenfabric with waterproof qualities and of a lighter weight than the nylonor rayon material used for the cot. Velcro® strips (not shown) are sewnalong the top edges of the sidewalls 60 and matching Velcro strips (notshown) are sewn along the back and/or side bottom edges of thehutch-like enclosure so that when the enclosure is in place, thehutch-like compartment 500 aligns smoothly and securely with thesidewalls 62, 64, and 66.

FIG. 19 is a left front view of FIG. 16 without an occupant. Hook andloop fasteners s9, s10 are sewn to the left edge of front mesh 530 andused to securely close the left front mesh to sidewall 66. In FIG. 20the front view of the cot with the hutch-like compartment shows theplacement of the front seam connecting the closely woven fabric 510 tothe openly woven mesh 530. The seam is positioned below the top edge ofthe upside down U-shaped support rods to create a shade or barrier tothe elements, such as sun, wind or rain, it also creates less stress onthe seam into which a series of hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®503 are sewn. For example, if the front cover has an overall length ofapproximately 30 inches, five inches from the top of the compartment,the material is of a the closely woven material 510. Thus, the materialon the front of the compartment would preferably have from approximately15% to approximately 20% of a solid or closely woven material at the topof the front cover and approximately 80% to approximately 85% of meshmaterial at the bottom of the front cover.

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the closely woven material 510 on the rearside of the hutch-like compartment. In FIG. 22, the flexible, closelywoven material 510 is used on the top and back side and the right side520 is made of an open weave mesh material. The front cover 530 (notshown) is fastened at the front right edge by two hook and loopfasteners, s7, s8.

In FIG. 23, the front mesh cover 530 is rolled up and strapped into anopen position by a series of three hook and loop fasteners 503. It is tobe understood that the number of fasteners in the series can be more orless than three. It is not a limitation of the invention and anyreasonable number of fasteners can be chosen for the series.

FIG. 24 shows an alternate arrangement for closing the corners of thefront mesh cover 530. A triangular-shaped piece of a closely wovenfabric, such as canvas, nylon, synthetic or natural fabric orcombinations thereof, is sewn onto the left corner 504 of the front mesh530. The corner fabric 504 reinforces the left corner and provides astronger seam for attaching hook and loop fasteners s9, s10. FIG. 24also shows the use of a zipper 506 in the left vertical seam to securelyclose the left front edge of the hutch-like compartment. The arrangementin FIG. 24 is shown for the left front corner, and can also be used forthe right front corner whenever there is a need for reinforcement andadded security for each closure.

FIG. 25 shows a zipper 507 and two hook and loop fasteners s7, s8fastened to right sidewall 62. Similarly, FIG. 26 shows zipper 509 andtwo hook and loop fasteners s9, s10 fastened to the left sidewall 66.The zipper and fastener arrangement in FIGS. 25 and 26 are without theadditional reinforcement of front corners shown in FIG. 24, and can beused to provide a more secure environment for an occupant of thehutch-like compartment.

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the upper tubing frame that supports thehutch-like compartment over the cot in FIG. 16. One upside down U-shapedframe is formed when side tubes 22 and 24 are connected to a cross baror tube 23. Another upside down U-shaped frame is formed when side tubes26 and 28 are connected to a cross bar or tube 27. The tubes can be madeof metal, plastic or any sturdy, lightweight material that forms ahollow tube, approximately ⅝-inch in diameter, and can be shaped toallow the vertical tubes 22, 24, 26 and 28 to fit snugly into cross barsand tubes 23 and 27 respectively. A strap 600 having loops on each endto slide over each cross bar 23 and 27 is used to connect and stabilizethe cross bars 23 and 27. The strap 600 is preferably aligned toapproximately the middle of each cross bar when it is at the top of theupside down U-shaped supports. In this position, the strap 600 alsosupports the top mid-section of the flexible hutch-like compartment. Thestrap 600 can be made of cloth, canvas, nylon rope, woven fabric and thelike; the dimensions are approximately 46 inches in length andapproximately 1 inch in width and extends from one side of the cot tothe opposite side.

FIG. 28 is a left front view of the upside down U-shaped support framewith strap 600 connecting the upper tubing 23 and 27. FIG. 29 is a frontview of FIG. 28; FIG. 30 is a right front view of the upper supportframe; FIG. 31 is a left rear view of the upper support frame; FIG. 32is a rear view of the upper support frame and FIG. 33 is a right rearview of the upper support frame first shown in FIG. 28.

The third embodiment of the present invention is a cot with sidewalls asshown in FIG. 34. A perspective view of the invention shows the legmember section 100, flexible platform 30 and sidewalls 60 constructed ina manner similar to that described in the first embodiment with canopy.Additional features are sidewall 62 on the right side, 64 on thebackside and 66 on the left side. The sidewalls are constructed of thesame flexible, lightweight material as the cot and extend upwardly toprovide a barrier to keep the occupant from falling to the ground orfloor while sleeping. FIG. 35 is a front view of the cot in FIG. 34.FIG. 36 provides a right front view of the cot in FIG. 34. FIG. 37 is aleft rear view of the cot in FIG. 34; FIG. 38 is a rear view of the cot;FIG. 39 is a right rear view of the cot.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 40wherein pet owner 650 places a stair step 700 in a position so that pet720 can be assisted in climbing to the higher elevation of the truck bed750.

Although the invention has been described as primarily being used forpets such as but not limited to dogs, cats, and the like, the inventioncan also be used for small children, and the like. The present inventionmeets the market demand for convenience, portability and ease ofassembly and use.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it haspresumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

1. A portable and collapsible cot, comprising: a flexible planar surfacelayer; and leg members for both cross-bracing and supporting the planarsurface layer over a ground surface, the leg members being moveablebetween an assembled position and a folded position, where the assembledposition fully supports weighted objects being placed on the planarsurface layer, and the folded position has the cot in a collapsedposition allowing the cot to become portable and easy to carry, the legmembers include: a first set of rods pivotably attached to one anotherfor supporting a left side end of the cot that are moveable between asubstantially crossed position while the cot is in the assembledposition to a substantially parallel position while the cot is in afolded position; a second set of rods pivotably attached to one anotherfor supporting a right side end of the cot opposite the left side end,that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cotis in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position whilethe cot is in the folded position; and vertical leg portions extendingdownward from each of the corners of the planar surface layer having anupper end that remains attached to each of the corners of the planarsurface layer, and a bottom end which engages a corner footer when thecot is in the assembled position, and the bottom end disengages thecorner footer when the cot is in the folded position; andbendable-snapable members for connecting the bottom ends of the verticalleg portions to the corner footers when the cot is in the assembledposition.
 2. The cot of claim 1, wherein the leg members furtherinclude: a middle set of rods for supporting a mid-portion of the cotlocated substantially midway between the left side end and the rightside end, that are moveable between a substantially crossed positionwhile the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallelposition while the cot is in a folded position.
 3. The cot of claim 1,wherein each of the bendable-snapable members include: a longitudinalclip having one end fixably attached to a portion of each of thevertical leg portions above the bottom end of the vertical leg portions,the clip having an opposite end with a protruding pin for mateablyengaging an opening in the corner footer for locking the cot in theassembled position, the pin end of the clip being bendable away from thecorner footer for allowing the cot to be folded.
 4. The cot of claim 1,further comprising: first straps along perimeter edges attachedunderneath the surface layer for enhancing strength of the surface layerto support the weighted object thereon.
 5. The cot of claim 4, firstcomprising: second straps in a crossed pattern attached underneath thesurface layer between the first straps attached to the perimeter edges.6. The cot of claim 1, further comprising: flexible side walls attachedto and extending upward from at least one perimeter edge from thesurface layer.
 7. The cot of claim 6, wherein the side walls furtherinclude: a left side wall attached to and extending upward from a leftside perimeter edge of the surface layer; a right side wall attached toand extending upward from a right side perimeter edge of the surfacelayer, opposite the left side wall; and a rear side wall attached to andextending upward from a rear side perimeter edge of the surface layerlocated between the left side wall and the right side wall, wherein theleft side wall, the right side wall, and the rear side wall keep theobject on the surface layer from falling off the left, the right andrear side perimeter edges of the cot.
 8. The cot of claim 7, furthercomprising: a removable compartment having ends attached to thesidewalls of the cot.
 9. The cot of claim 8, further comprising: a firstupside down U-shaped support attached to and extending upward from oneside of the cot; and a second upside down U-shaped support attached toand extending upward from another side of the cot opposite the one side,where in the first U-shaped support and the second-shaped support areconnected by a strap to stabilize and hold the compartment in a fixedposition above the cot.
 10. The cot of claim 8, wherein the strapconnecting the first U-shaped support and the second U-shaped support ispositioned to support the top mid-section of the compartment.
 11. Thecot of claim 8, further comprising: a means for fastening the sidewallsto the compartment smoothly and securely.
 12. The cot of claim 11wherein the compartment is irremovably attached to the left sidewall andrear sidewall.
 13. The cot of claim 8, wherein the compartment furtherincludes: lightweight, flexible closely woven fabric for at least oneside and openly woven material for at least one side of the enclosurehaving a total of five sides.
 14. The cot of claim 13, wherein thecompartment further includes a front cover of openly woven material thatis closed with zippers and fasteners to the left and right sidewalls tokeep an occupant securely enclosed.
 15. The cot of claim 13, wherein thefront cover of openly woven material is rolled vertically upward andheld in an open, rolled position with fasteners to facilitate access tothe interior of the compartment.
 16. The cot of claim 1 furthercomprising: a removable canopy having ends attached to the corner edgesof the cot.
 17. The cot of claim 16, further comprising: a first upsidedown U-shaped support attached to and extending upward from one side ofthe cot; and a second upside down U-shaped support attached to andextending upward from another side of the cot opposite the one side,wherein the first U-shaped support and the second U-shaped support holdthe canopy in a fixed position above the cot.
 18. The cot of claim 1,further comprising: a length of the assembled cot being approximately 46inches long and a width of the assembled cot being approximately 24inches wide.
 19. The cot of claim 1, further comprising: an overallweight of up to approximately 15 pounds.
 20. A portable and collapsiblecot, comprising: a flexible planar surface layer; and leg members forboth cross-bracing and supporting the planar surface layer over a groundsurface, the leg members being moveable between an assembled positionand a folded position, where the assembled position is useful to fullysupport a weighted object being placed on the planar surface layer, andthe folded position has the cot in a collapsed position allowing the cotto become portable and easy to carry; a first pair of straps arranged ina cross pattern attached to front perimeter edges underneath a frontportion of the surface layer; and a second pair straps arranged in acrossed pattern attached to rear perimeter edges underneath a rearportion of the surface layer, the second pair of the crossed strapsbeing arranged adjacent to the first pair of the crossed straps, thefirst and the second pairs of the crossed straps for enhancing strengthof the surface layer to support the weighted object thereon.
 21. Aportable and collapsible cot, comprising: a flexible planar surfacelayer; and leg members for both cross-bracing and supporting the planarsurface layer over a ground surface, the leg members being moveablebetween an assembled position and a folded position, where the assembledposition is useful to fully supports a weighted object being placed onthe planar surface layer, and the folded position has the cot in acollapsed position allowing the cot to become portable and easy tocarry; and vertical leg portions extending downward from each of thecorners of the planar surface layer having an upper end that remainsattached to each of the corners of the planar surface layer, and abottom end which engages a corner footer when the cot is in theassembled position, and the bottom end disengages the corner footer whenthe cot is in the folded position; and hendable-snapable members forconnecting the bottom ends of the vertical leg portions to the cornerfooters when the cot is in the assembled position.